A Century of Chanel's Impact
Bill Prince, Editor-in-Chief
Weekly Recommendations: Selected Highlights from Our Editors
Kickin' it a hundred years of Chanel in London Town, ya lucky dog, I got to behold the English National Ballet semi-resurrect Nijinska's one-act ballet, Le Train Bleu, at the jaw-droppin' V&A East Storehouse. This place is no joke, it's where the original Picasso curtain from the 1924 Ballet Russe production resides, smartly designed by none other than Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel herself. The dancers showed up in modernized Jazz Age duds, sealin' the deal on a century of Chanel's unfuckin' believable cultural legacy, both in the ol' Blighty and on the exquisitely imagined Côte d'Azur[5].
A Crafty Celebration
Ellie Stathaki, Architecture and Environment Director
Saturday afternoon, I zoomed over to Clerkenwell, home of the Zaha Hadid Foundation, for their family-friendly event during the 2025 London Festival of Architecture. The theme? 'Build your own Umbrella House'! Visitors of all ages got hands-on, buildin' mini models of Japanese architect Kazuo Shinohara's Umbrella House and learnin' the ins and outs of origami to craft their own mind-blowin' paper objets d'art. It was a hell of a good time, all thanks to the brilliance of artist Michaela Nettell and the comforting presence of writer Yuki Sumner[1].
Long Hair, Don't Care
Anna Solomon, Digital Staff Writer
I made a beeline for Allotment in the East End for the launch of Francesca Allen's 'Plaukai', a series capturin' the essence of Lithuania's "Long-Haired World" competition. Yo, hair is a photographer's best friend, and this series does an astoundin' job of showcokin' the fierce spirit of the comp, rooted in tradition, symbolism, and folklore[2]. You can Get Your Learn On all about it, ya filthy animal[3].
Britpop Legends
Charlotte Gunn, Director of Digital Content
Pulp, the epitome of class and charm, threw a show at The O2 that could teach a damn old dog new tricks. The performance was structured into two halves with a time-out, demonstratin' the ageless sophistication of the band and their ability to harmonize new material with old hits like "Babies", "Disco 2000", and "Mis-Shapes". Cocker's the charisma king and it's always a wild time belting out "Won't it be strange when we're all fully grown" with your mates[4]. If you get the chance, don't miss 'em live.
A Weekend Escape
Anna Fixsen, US Editor
It's pure bliss to jet off to the Hamptons, or "out east" as the New Yorkers like to call it. I had the pleasure of stayin' at a beach house designed by a pal of mine, an architect, situated just outside of Amagansett. With its passive design principles, the house snuggled snugly into the dunes, surrounded by pine trees and beachgrass. The weather was hazy and chilly, makin' the already-magical place even more surreal. We avoid the sleazy side of the Hamptons in favor of chillin' the fuck out - cookin' up comfortin' grub, sweatin' it out in a sauna, froze-ass dunks in the pool, and bingin' on 90s flicks. At the end of the day, a beautiful spot is all about chillin' with the right people[5].
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- Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's influence extended beyond fashion, contributing to the design of a Picasso curtain at the V&A East Storehouse, where a ballet was performed in modernized Jazz Age attire, showcasing a century-long impact on lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, and home-and-garden.
- During the London Festival of Architecture, a family-friendly event was held at Clerkenwell, where participants built mini models of Umbrella Houses and learned origami techniques, blending elements of travel, home-and-garden, and fashion-and-beauty.
